Dresden, 04/08/2007
Fifteen months before the beginning of the Chess Olympiad in Dresden, a delegation from FIDE, the World Chess Federation, made up of Geoffrey Borg, Vice President, Israel Gelfer, Honorary Vice President, and David Jarrett, Executive Director, were in Dresden for a three day visit.

Attending the meetings were representatives of the City of Dresden, Winfried Lehmann, City Mayor, Dr Dirk Jordan, Chairman and Joern Verleger, Managing Director of the Schacholympiade 2008 – Chess Foundation GmbH. From the German Chess Federation, Dr Matthias Kribben, Deputy President and Horst Metzing, Sports Director were present.

“The team has worked on a number of areas from a detailed agenda and which has led to common agreement.” declared Mr Winfried Lehmann, Mayor of the City of Dresden. In general the parties agreed on the areas of operation and a final agreement is now being drawn up.
The dates of the Olympiad were confirmed and this which will take place from 12th of November to 25th November 2008 in the International Congress Centre in Dresden.

Operational areas were discussed in detail and procedures are being drawn up by the organisers. FIDE reviewed the hotels being utilised by the Organising Committee and requested an increase in capacity based on the past attendance in such events.

Geoffrey Borg said “FIDE expects a record participation as a result of the great location and the support that the City of Dresden is giving to this event.”
The communication and internet infrastructure were also discussed and all parties agreed on the importance to the success of this event in these areas.

Dr Kribben, on behalf of the German Chess Federation invited all his 160 colleague Federation members around the world to visit Dresden and enjoy the wonderful hospitality and organisation that will be offered in the forthcoming Olympiad.